FG Expands Forest Guards Programme To 10 States

The Federal Government has expanded the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative to 10 states, with more than 9,000 personnel trained for deployment around forests and other vulnerable areas.

The Office of the National Security Adviser said the latest phase covers Kaduna, Edo and Kogi, where more than 2,000 personnel have completed training and are due to be sent to identified security flashpoints.

Punch reported that earlier batches had trained more than 7,000 forest guards in Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara and Kebbi.

The programme is coordinated by the ONSA and implemented under the operational leadership of the Department of State Services, with support from the National Intelligence Agency, Defence Headquarters, the police and the National Park Service.

Daily Post reported that National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Major General Hillary Mabeokwu at a graduation ceremony in Lokoja, tasked the newly trained guards with protecting forests, communities and lives.

Ribadu said the personnel would be deployed immediately across communities and urged them to work with professionalism, respect for human rights and discipline.

Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo said the state would not allow its forests to serve as hideouts for criminals.

Sources: Punch, Daily Post